My C4S shat itself, what do I do?

Hi, Just before Christmas my 996 made a disturbing noise at low revs, spluttered and died on the spot. The car is currently with Performance Porsche who have diagnosed a dropped valve seat on cylinder no5 (quite rare I'm told). The valve drop smashed the bank 2 casting, destroyed the piston and damaged the cylinder head. The cylinder head can be repaired, the crankshaft is fine and needs shell bearings. The number 4,5,6 cylinders were all starting to show scoring though not as yet terminal. My conundrum is this, they have a 3.8 with iron liners ready to go and this will set me back approx 10k rebuilt with new chains, shells, and etc etc. Do I take this option or seek a replacement bank 2 casting, 3 new liners and 3 new pistons (still 3.6) and have them rebuild my engine. Another option is to try one of these Polish places and send them what's left of my engine in order to get back a nice rebuilt one (approx cost for engine is 5-6kish) then get PP to fit it. My last option is sell the bodyshell and what's left of the engine, take what I get for that lot, add in the 10k I expect to spend on the engine and look for another good C4S. What's your thoughts?.......

There have been references on here to the Polish re-builders in the past, has anyone tried them? Experiences please....

If you have no emotional attachment to the car sell it take 10k and buy another one. If you love the car 3.8 route. I would sell for spares the existing engine. I really wouldn't bother with it. The Polish route. Hmmmm. They are a long way if you have any problems with the engine they send you. Perhaps use the engine going bang as an excuse for a new car or new engine.

I read that post a while back but as yet nobody has shared any personal experience with them. They offer rebuilt engines for around £3k which seems ridiculously cheap as they fit more new parts than most would at a third of the price! Bit suspicious hence why I am after testimonials. The pics and details on the site are very promising. Mint premises full of engines, descriptions of exactly what they do and which parts are used and even descriptions of the engineers who do the work. I'm not worried an out them being in Poland, I travel Europe all the time and them being in Warsaw is no different to me as them being in Slough. Plus I have a great deal of respect for Poles and their work ethic.

I'm not sure how much what I have left is worth but before it went bang it was worth every bit of £20k, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get £10k for it now (unless I'm wrong) so even with £10k thrown at an engine I will still have 20k of porsche. I do love the car but could grow to love another C4S, thing is if I buy another 20k that engine could go bang in 1000 miles for all I know, at least I would know the history of this engine...

77Szymon had his rebuilt in Poland whilst on holiday there. Cost him £4k including night out in Krakow: http://911uk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1501712

That was the post that sparked my interest, seems too good to be true. Ps. You aren't living under a motorway bridge are you! On my way back from Blackburn Rovers on Sat I saw a silver soft top 996 under a bridge on the m65 with a big camper van next to it. The 996 was on axle stands, very odd

Polish engine shop? Sounds too good to be true but worth investigating as I am just about to rebuild the engine on my "spare" 996 (when it gets warmer!!!). I read the linked thread but noticed no name of the engine re builder. Have i missed something?

Szymon has a phone number and thats all. Not me under the bridge.

Well you've answered your own question.

Really sorry to hear that, that sucks. I thought that the main crankcase castings were done as matched pairs, in which case what you need is pretty much a complete engine I'm afraid, unless it is just the liner damaged. If that is the case then I would be looking at a secondhand engine and get it fitted, or sell as is. MC

There's not much Andy doesn't know about engines at Performance Porsche. How many has he got on his engine benches now in various states of undress :what: I'd be trusted to take his advice regarding rebuild or new engine. As others have said if its a keeper go the 3.8 route if not price the repair. Selling 'as is' won't realise you the truth worth of the car so putting some dough into it may make it worthwhile :thumb:

Sorry to hear whats happened, that sucks ! I had a C4S just recently, it had no upgrades done to the car and 80k miles, so with all the horror stories, it made it a bit of a cr4p ownership experience thinking is this the outing that the chocolate engine will melt. I also did not like it enough to pay out for the IMS upgrade etc, or a possible £10k rebuild. Still think they are lovely looking cars though. I did think what I would do if the engine shat it self, and I would cut my loses and sell it as is. :thumb: The only reason I might think differently, is mega low miles, mega spec or rare colour. (My old one is the Lapis blue one on Ebay for 22k that the dealer bought off me for £16.5 !!) :thumb:

Bear in mind that shipping stuff back and forth to the continent is much more expensive and difficult than it used to be, and that you will need to be on your game with the paperwork to avoid paying duty and VAT in both directions. = add up all of the costs of the Polish option before considering what you are going to do, as it might be very much more than you are currently counting on.

Have you considered the Hartech 3.9 conversion? That's the route i would take because at least for your 10k you're getting an upgrade rather than a like for like replacement.